Orazio Fantasia could be facing an uphill battle to play if the Dons make finals after suffering a suspected high-grade hamstring injury in the first quarter of the Bombers' clash with Carlton at the MCG.

Orazio Fantasia signs a new two-year deal with Essendon, which will tie the promising young forward to the club until the end of 2019.

"Essendon has such a strong culture and I'm thrilled to be a part of such a proud club," Fantasia said.

"Melbourne is my home now and I want to be a leader of this football club over the next few years."

Monday, 18 July 2016

Orazio Fantasia is the round 17 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee after making the most of his opportunities following the season-long bans handed to the 12 Essendon-listed players who took part in the Bombers' 2012 supplements program.

Fantasia, in his third season with the Bombers, set himself for a big year knowing he would get his chance to establish himself as a member of Essendon's best 22.

"With the 12 guys not being here, it was going to be a little easier to get in the side," Fantasia said.

"But as soon as I saw the verdict come out, it was heads down, bum up and get to work type stuff.

"I wanted to play every game. That was my aim if the boys were here or they weren't here."

Orazio Fantasia gathers 10 possessions and six marks (one contested) as well as kicked 3.4 in a half against the Giants, drawing praise from veteran Matthew Stokes.

"I've played for 11 years and I've never had a half like that," Stokes said.

"He worked really hard to get on the end of a few, but what was really important was all the other opportunities and space he created just with his movement and his pace and his determination to get to a contest. He drew defenders too him, which opened it up for his teammates.

"The role of small forward is the hardest role to play because you can be out of the play. Most of the time, you only get rewarded only when you put in the effort with the tackling pressure and defence, and he was fantastic in those areas."

Orazio Fantasia is the round 23 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee after gathering a career-high 27 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency in the Bombers' three-point win over the Magpies.

"Orazio is one of an exciting group of young players on our senior list, he has a tremendous work ethic, hunger to develop, and we believe this combination of attributes lays the foundations for a bright future at Essendon," Essendon's development manager Mark Neeld said.

Orazio Fantasia signs a new two-year deal with the Bombers, resisting the lure of a move back home to Adelaide.

The 19-year-old impressed during a mid-year patch of games this season before suffering a thigh injury, but has committed to trying to secure a spot in the club's best 22 until at least the end of 2017.

"Being from interstate, the lure to return home is always there but I am really enjoying my time at the Bombers," Fantasia said.

"I feel we have a really strong group of young players coming through and I am really excited about what we can achieve together over the next few years."